Current Status of USMMA

I have hear from various sources that the USMMA is not on par to the other Academies. Does anyone have any insight into how this Academy compares to other service academies academically and professionally? Has the USMMA really deteriorated from prestige?

I have the feeling that folks far more qualified than I are busy typing away a response to you. It's valid to ask questions here, but a little tact might be a good idea as to not offend current or past members of any SA.

Anyways, my DS visited there twice after being recruited for soccer. It has a unique, interesting and important role in US maritime commerce. There are only two basic majors as I recall. Marine navigation and marine engineering. There is sea year that I think is spread across two academic years which I believe are trimesters.

Graduates owe 5 years, but they typically work in the maritime industry and are reservists in the Navy. You still are a commissioned officer. Jobs on the "big water" as I recall them saying are some of the highest paying for college graduates with a 4 year degree. You also get to see the world! While at school I think you are paid $10,000 for the year at sea.

My DS was somewhat disappointed with what seemed like a less stringent military environment. He only had 2 visits though, so he is not qualified to really make that assessment. That was his gut reaction. As a parent, I noticed facilities that seemed perhaps dated as opposed to some other SA. DS visited all but Annapolis.

I think that USMMA is under the Dept. of Transportation. You need to understand their mission and purpose to really appreciate them. The same could be said for all the SA.

For what it's worth. My wife loved it and it was her first choice for DS, but alas she is not attending. It still remains on DS's list of schools and is a place like any SA that a limited number of special graduates have the honor to say that I went to King's Point.

Not all Ivy League schools are Yale, Princeton or Harvard and more importantly not all want to be.

As already described as with each of the other four federal academies, USMMA has its own unique mission and as such is slightly different than the other academies.

Also as already addressed I suspect the way you asked the question will generate at least a little consternation in some of the response and you might want to follow-up with a little further explanation as to the nature and reason for your question. Many may see it and react without looking further to see that you have 36 posts on this forum and are a truly interested PC actively pursuing and considering multiple potential avenues to a sea going commision.

That said I too tend to be a little overly direct and blunt and am curious - have you already confirmed that the medical condition that disqualified you from USNA and a an NROTC scholarship either will not disqualfy you from USMMA or have you cleared that issue and are all of the earlier issues preventing you from getting into USNA and/or an NROTC Scholarship no longer an issue? Further if not have you verified that if that condition doesn't recur or exacerbate during the next four years if you get through another four year commissioning source USMMA, VMI, etc that you are pursuing - you will be able to commision and it won't prevent you from doing so then?

I'm not trying to stir up stuff - I just would hate to see a young man or women go through four years at any of these difficult programs only to find they never really had a chance of succeeding in attaining their ultimate goal. None of the options you are considering are easy to get into and they are all even harder to get through.

That said, as you know on all these forums we all like to thump our chests and say our Alma Mater is the best the other option is less than the one I took, etc. But the truth is we are all arguing about different degrees of excellence IMO as I believe the above referenced USMMA kudos illustrates.

First of all, thank you for the information about USMMA. It has helped answer a few of my questions. Secondly, the last thing that I intended was to offend someone with regard to the "prestige" of the Academy. I have the utmost respect for all SA's.

With regard to the medical, I have been told that the SA's will not look at my medical information until I have been considered by each admissions board. I have sent information to DoDMERB with specific information about my medical condition from a specialist. I have not had confirmation that each service academy waiver authority has received this information however. I have completed my applications for USNA and NROTC months ago. This somewhat confuses me. When will I hear whether or not I have (or will be given) a waiver for my condition (which is TMJ in my jaw by the way)? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you

First of all, thank you for the information about USMMA. It has helped answer a few of my questions. Secondly, the last thing that I intended was to offend someone with regard to the "prestige" of the Academy. I have the utmost respect for all SA's.

With regard to the medical, I have been told that the SA's will not look at my medical information until I have been considered by each admissions board. I have sent information to DoDMERB with specific information about my medical condition from a specialist. I have not had confirmation that each service academy waiver authority has received this information however. I have completed my applications for USNA and NROTC months ago. This somewhat confuses me. When will I hear whether or not I have (or will be given) a waiver for my condition (which is TMJ in my jaw by the way)? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you

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My DS's experience was that the waiver is among the last things reviewed to efficiently use the time of those doing the work. Thus if he SA is filling all its seats for a class, they only review medical waivers for those already far along the road to getting a seat. If one is not competitive, the waiver process never gets 'off the ground.'

You should judge the prestige based on the factors you consider important.

Before committing to any Academy or college, you should first make a visit (overnight if possible). My DS visited Annapolis, Coast Guard and Kings Point. When he visited Kings Point he said it just felt right, from the midshipmen he interacted with, to the campus, to the location near NY city. He even mentioned the view of the skyscrapers in Manhattan off in the distance. I think this experience is different for everyone.

He was not fully decided on the direction he wanted to go after graduation so the Kings Point option to serve as a merchant marine officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine or as an active duty officer in one of the branches of the Armed Forces was a big appeal to him. While some feel not being REQUIRED to serve active duty in the Military upon graduation detracts from the prestige of Kings Point, he felt the unique option to make this choice upon graduation made it more appealing.

Just remember, the Acadamies are not in competition with each other. You need to pick the one that is best for you. You shouldn't make this decision based on the opinions of others, you are the one making the commitment.

I wanted DS to attend and graduate from an institution that would best prepare him for an enjoyable, profitable and in demand career. USMMA beat out USAFA for my DS. Prestige is a funny thing these days. DoD will announce some large force reductions in the coming days which will affect as sessions and retention prestige won't matter at all to the retention board.

I wanted DS to attend and graduate from an institution that would best prepare him for an enjoyable, profitable and in demand career. USMMA beat out USAFA for my DS. Prestige is a funny thing these days. DoD will announce some large force reductions in the coming days which will affect as sessions and retention prestige won't matter at all to the retention board.